Tuxedo's Castellanos fans 17 in Class D final

By Rick RemsnyderFor the Times Herald-Record

Saturday

May 26, 2018 at 5:49 PMMay 26, 2018 at 6:39 PM

SAUGERTIES — Tuxedo ace Joe Castellanos figured he was in for a good day when he whiffed the first four Livingston Manor batters in Saturday’s 9-1 victory for the Section 9 Class D baseball championship at Lorenz Field.

“Today I was able to keep on top of my curveball to make sure I got the spin I needed,” he said. “And that was pretty much the difference in today’s game as I was able to control my curve when I needed to.”

Castellanos finished with 17 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings, coming out of the game one out shy of a complete game due to his pitch count.

Julian Cepeda came on to strike out Livingston Manor’s Garrett Shaver for the final out to set off a joyous celebration as the top-seeded Tornados (9-9) captured their first Section 9 title since winning the Class C championship in 2004.

Castellanos has been a strikeout machine all season. He had 18 strikeouts in a no-hitter vs. Eldred during the regular season and now has 119 strikeouts in 52-plus innings.

The Tornados earned a bye into the state Class D quarterfinals at the Section 2 champion next Saturday — Tuxedo will face either No. 1 Whitehall or No. 2 Fort Plain.

“I’ll be ready to go by then,” said Castellanos, a junior who missed his freshman year with a broken thumb. “I think we can compete with any D team now. Everyone is into the games and is ready to contribute and help. I think we’re peaking at the right time.”

Tuxedo gave its ace a big cushion early and the outcome was really never in doubt. Opposing pitcher Vince Marchese loaded the bases by walking the first three batters of the game and a sacrifice fly by shortstop Cameron Tomasovich made it 1-0. Castellanos also scored on the play to make it 2-0 when a teammate was thrown out trying to take an extra base.

The Tornados added four more runs in the second to pad their lead to 6-0. Castellanos’ RBI single and a two-run single by catcher Lucas Maretzo were the key hits.

Tornados outfielder Dustin Labar said the team feels good whenever Castellanos takes the mound.

“He’s tough to hit,” he said. “Joe gives us a big advantage whenever he pitches.”

No. 2 Livingston Manor (4-10) managed just three hits and an unearned run off Castellanos.

sports@th-record.com

Twitter: @Varsity845

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